Tothero, a 1991 graduate of Cocalico High School, brings extensive experience to his assignment as commanding officer. This is the fourth fast attack submarine he has served aboard, with previous experience as a junior officer aboard USS Scranton (SSN 756) in Norfolk, Va., as engineer aboard USS Los Angeles (SSN 688) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and as executive officer aboard USS Houston (SSN 713) in Apra Harbor, Guam. During his three previous sea-going tours of duty, he deployed five times to the North Atlantic, Arabian Gulf and three times to the Western Pacific Ocean.

Tothero reports to Buffalo having most recently served at the Pentagon as a maritime reconnaissance officer on the Joint Staff.

As Tothero assumed command of Buffalo, he thanked the outgoing commanding officer, Cmdr. Richard Seif, for turning over a great ship and an even greater crew.

"I am able to serve with a crew that has amassed a series of successes over its time while forward deployed in Guam. To the man, they are truly the best and brightest of our nation’s youth and young adults. It is an honor to serve with them," said Tothero.

While under Seif’s command, Buffalo completed numerous bilateral exercises, received a Meritorious Unit Commendation, won two Battle "E" awards, completed three six-month deployments, and won the Navy’s prestigious Arleigh Burke fleet trophy.

An attack submarine that was commissioned in 1983, Buffalo is designed to conduct a variety of missions — to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; project power ashore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operation Forces; carry out Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions; support battle group operations, and engage in mine warfare.